How much does Ant extermination cost?

Based on 55,681 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$75

TYPICAL

$149

$239

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Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

Professional ant extermination services are highly affordable, but require multiple treatments to be effective
Extermination prices depend on the type of ant invading your property—and insecticide required to eradicate it
Indoor ant infestations can cause major damage to your home— and require greater expense to treat—if not handled quickly

Many homeowners know all too well how quickly ants can travel from their outdoor bunkers to indoor countertops. One or two tiny ant hills in the backyard soon becomes a scout-ant-lead march (coast is clear, folks!) into your kitchen. And suddenly, you have a major ant problem.

Indoor and outdoor ant infestations not only contaminate food, and leave you feeling…well…invaded and grossed out, they also cause property damage. So when you spot ant hills in your yard, or trails of ants along window sills, it’s time to call in professional ant extermination services.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the average costs of ant extermination, what those services include, and how to keep recurrent pest-control costs within budget.

How ant extermination services work

Simply spraying spots where ants crawl is not enough. Professional ant extermination services go deeper than DIY methods to stop pests from entering your home in the first place.

Professional-grade fumigation and poison methods are designed to kill ant colonies quickly, with minimum disruption to your home or landscape. They target the source and size of infestation—even specific species of ant—to reduce, then eliminate, the origin ant colony.

Depending on the infestation, the company may prescribe a one-time treatment of powerful pesticides to kill large infestations, followed by recurring monthly treatments to prevent ant colonies from returning.

Pest management companies use a wide range of chemicals, many of which are safe for homes with cats and dogs, children, or people with chemical sensitivities. Some also offer organic and eco-friendly treatment, but they can cost 2–4 times than traditional chemical ones.

Total ant extermination costs

The cost of ant extermination services (indoor or outdoor) averages $400–480. It includes as many follow-up ant treatments needed to completely resolve the problem. While some services offer one-off extermination services, most professionals recommend recurring treatments or a service contract to fully exterminate persistent ants.

Prices of pest control projects are based on square footage of infestation, type of extermination method needed, and duration of service. Treatment costs include:

Initial inspection to pinpoint the ant source
Chemical treatments or fumigation
Follow-up treatments to destroy ant mounds

Outdoor ant extermination services tend to be cheaper and simpler than indoor extermination efforts. Outdoor extermination services for your lawn, for example, can cost between $100–500.

Indoor exterminations, on the other hand, range from $80-$600 per room. Severe indoor ant infestations can cost much more—often in excess of $1,500. That’s because they include more cycles of treatment to exterminate ants and nests that hide throughout your home, more in-depth investigations of your home for entry points, and repairs to seal any entry points or damaged building materials.

Cost by ant species

Because there are dozens of types of ants—each of which behaves differently—extermination methods and prices vary. Little black ants and rover ants, for example, are extremely common but easy to exterminate with a low-cost, one-time visit. Odorous house ants, on the other hand, are most expensive because they release unpleasant scents if crushed, and require a specific cleanup process.

Most common types of ants and extermination prices include:

Little black ants and rover ants. Professional exterminators can kill these ants with a single treatment. Expect to spend $150 or less. Because black ants are so common, however, you may see new nests pop up year after year.
Fire ants. Found primarily in the southern US, this species can be dangerous because of their aggression and painful bite. Some people even have an allergic reaction after being bitten. Expect to spend up to $300 to eliminate these ants.
Carpenter ants. These common pests often build ant nests in the studs and walls of homes, causing damage similar to that of termites. Professional exterminators can track and eradicate the nests before they cause more damage to your home. Because carpenter ants are good at hiding, extermination services often cost as much as $500. The fee may not include repairs for damage the ants may have caused to your walls.

Cost factors

Other factors that can increase the cost of ant extermination include:

Size or severity of infestation. The larger the area for eradication, the higher the cost due to increased time and materials. For outdoor infestations, treatments are simply applied across a wider surface area. Indoor issues cost more because of the time it takes to track down the source of ant colonies across multiple rooms.

As a general rule, you can expect to spend $80 per treatment in easily accessible areas, like the edge of your home’s foundation, or up to $500 for hard-to-reach spaces, like inside your home’s walls.

Extermination chemicals. Professionals may use fumigation, chemical sprays, ant bait and ant traps, and direct application poisons to exterminate ants. Depending on the precise chemicals used, material costs can vary from company to company. Poisoned ant bait costs approximately $150, while applications of ant repellent cost approximately $100.

Maintenance services. If you have recurrent ant and pest problems, or are simply squeamish about bugs in your home, you may consider ongoing professional help. Most ant exterminators also offer comprehensive pest control services, inspections, and treatments tailored to your property.

If you enroll in a recurring treatment contract, you can add services such as wasp and bed bug extermination and prevention, rodent traps, and more. As you shop around for a pest-control provider, consider options that allow you to add on services over time.

How to save money

Each ant extermination project is different, so get multiple cost estimates.

Bundle treatments. Ant extermination services are generally affordable, but more severe infestations can exceed the average cost. Homeowners can save money by bundling recurring treatments into a contract instead of searching for services that offer one-off treatments.

Seal holes. You can also protect your home by sealing holes and gaps around your doors and windows, in your siding, or along roof eaves. This home improvement project blocks ants from entering your home. By knowing the type of ant crashing in your home, you can also remove the elements that attract them, such as food and soft wood.

FAQs

Is it worth getting an exterminator for ants?

Hiring a pest control company is a worthwhile investment for completely eliminating infestations. They can track ants to their nest instead of killing just the ones you can see.

How long does it take for an exterminator to get rid of ants?

Ants can linger in your home for several weeks after the initial treatment. However, most options begin to work in the first 48 hours.

Do ant exterminators work?

Yes! Professional ant extermination services can eradicate a current infestation in your home and yard. They can also protect your property from future colonies with powerful ant repellant treatments.

Find a professional ant extermination service in your area.

Looking for more information and costs for pest control services? Check out these related guides:

Mosquito pest control: DIY or hire a pro?

Indoor pest control: DIY or hire a pro?

Garden pest control: DIY or hire a pro?

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